正文
1,Conservatives rallied around Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska, who is Senator
John McCainos choice for a running mate, after the disclosure that her unmarried
teenage daughter was pregnant. Jim Wilson/The New York Times
2,Bristol Palin and her brother, Trig, in Dayton, Ohio, on Friday. Jim
Wilson/The New York Times
自共和黨的女性副總統候選人公布後，她引起了很廣泛的興趣，據說共和黨的政治
捐款很有起色。興趣自然是圍繞在這位女性州長佩林是否可以勝任號稱是全世界最
重要的第二號工作，美國副總統，因它離總統的職務隻差一步之遙，或是一個“心
跳”之遙。佩林是五個孩子的母親，最小的孩子不但僅五個月，還有先天性智力障
礙的疾病，但是她作為阿拉斯加州長已兩年了，盡管是個人口不多的州。
關於這位副總統候選人的更多私人情況陸續被暴光。周末，佩林本人及共和黨發言
人公布，她的十七歲女兒已有五個月身孕在身，雖然據稱會和過去曾聲稱不想要孩
子的男友結婚。有猜測，在熱帶風暴襲擊美國之時做的這種公布，是為了降低消息
本身的新聞價值，也是為了“ 消除”關於州長自己的尚未滿周歲的孩子實際上是她
女兒的孩子的謠言。所以，除了州長，驕傲的母親的桂冠外，佩林現在又增加了祖
母的光環。這可以說是掀起了一場“風暴”。
昨天看了幾個美國主要媒體的網上討論，有些沒想到的與作為母親有關的“論點”
被網民們提出來作為佩林是否適合當副總統的爭論要點。雖然不敢說在有生之年內
能見到中國大陸進行全國性的總統選舉，但針對這位共和黨副總統候選人的爭辯，
對討論民主政治倒是有可借鑒之處。
爭論一，她是否是個成功的母親
讚成的：
養育五個孩子說明她做母親的能力；
盡管懷孕期間就知道嬰兒有先天性智力障礙的疾病，仍然做出分娩、撫育孩子的選
擇，其熱愛生命之心可見一斑。
女兒未婚先孕，在美國不稀奇，說明她的家庭是和一般的美國家庭一樣，麵臨各種
問題，而不是不食人間煙火；
對女兒的未婚先孕表示全力支持，而且將會組成家庭，這是值得稱道的家庭觀。
反對的：
沒有做好計劃生育，孩子數目超過美國家庭的平均人數；
在高齡的懷孕期間，仍不顧風險，乘飛機旅行；
在生了孩子後的三天內就上班，置新生兒於不顧，別說還有先天性疾病；
十七歲的女兒未婚先孕，沒有盡到做母親的教導、監督之責；
盡管女兒是未婚先孕，還來了個新聞通報，使天下人皆知，置女兒的隱私、臉麵而
不顧；
做母親的宣布她女兒“會”和男友結婚，有包辦婚姻，施加壓力之嫌；
因為美國未成年人婚姻失敗的比例很高，不但有置這二位未成年人的生活於貧困之
中的可能性，也有增加社會負擔的可能性；
給在美國學校進行的聯邦政府支持的“無性生活”教育項目做了失敗的注解，給青
少年樹立了不良榜樣。有父母在抱怨，自己的孩子已經在援引這位州長女兒的例子
做為成長過程中可能給父母的一種“驚喜”；
學校教師認為，這是典型的女不教，母之過的例子。她們不認為學校/教師有責任
“撫養”別人的這樣的孩子；
有五個孩子，包括一個有先天性智力障礙疾病的嬰兒，仍然做出競選，甚至當副總
統的決定，是置子女撫養、教育、成長於不顧，這些應是做母親的最重要的職責，
母愛是別人不能取代的。
爭論二，她是否會成為成功的副總統/總統
讚成的：
先治家，後治國，家有五個孩子，還能做州長，說明很有能力；
佩林的丈夫可以負擔起照顧孩子與家庭的職責，她可以投身於政治；
麥凱恩昨天稱
''I just want to repeat again how excited I am to have Sarah Palin, the
great governor of Alaska, as my running mate.''
''America is excited and they're going to be even more excited once they
see her tomorrow night,'' he said. ''I'm very, very proud of the impression
she's made on all of America and I look forward to serving with her.''
反對的：
先治家，後治國，家裏的子女都教育不好(未婚先孕)，何談治國；
在學校推行聯邦政府支持的“無性生活”教育項目不力，自己的女兒做了失敗的注
解，樹立了壞榜樣，會誤人子弟，有損於美國的形像；
對有先天性智力障礙疾病嬰兒的妊娠，不尋求醫療措施，而服從宗教信仰，做出分
娩的決定，缺乏合理的判斷能力；
作為五個孩子的母親，分不清家庭和政治孰重孰清，缺乏合理的判斷能力；
麵對這樣的家庭責任，置家庭於不顧，仍然選擇參加全國競選活動，說明對母親職
責，家庭價值觀的忽略，不符合美國一般人公認的價值觀；
在宣布共和黨的副總統候選人的發布會上，讓已懷孕的女兒抱著自己的嬰兒實際上
是為了掩蓋女兒的妊娠，這是欺騙行為；
聲稱作為這樣家庭的主婦仍可以用百分之百的精力做美國的副總統本身就是對美國
婦女的一種欺騙，職業婦女都要對家庭生活做出不同程度的犧牲。
曾代理麻州州長職務的Jane Swift在2001年時喜得一對雙胞胎，但後來因讓助手幫
助照顧孩子受到批判，下一年退出競選，並寫文章承認，作為一個母親，身兼如此
二任幾乎是不可能的；
女權主義的支持者曾用這樣的“口號”勸導身兼二任(家庭與職業)的職業婦女，
Women, you can have it all - just not at the same time。
佩林及支持她的共和黨是在犧牲她的家庭和美國的國家利益，這是及其不負責任的；
女性能否成為總統/副總統並不一定先要有自己的孩子，沒有孩子的婦女同樣可以擔
此重任，關鍵在於她的判斷與處理事務的能力。而佩林在處理自己家庭事務方麵顯
示她缺乏這兩者。
都知道麥凱恩是想找一位女性做副總統的候選人，以策反曾支持希拉裏的女性民主
黨選民倒戈，並爭取獨立的選民。但共和黨內幾位資深的女性議員都以種種原因謝
絕了麥凱恩的建議。麥凱恩說這位女州長的人選使美國人很興奮，看來是有一定的
道理，因為他的選擇激怒了不少希拉裏的支持者。佩林在第一次講話中提到，自己
是在把希拉裏未完成的事業(女性競選總統)進行到底。希拉裏的支持者們憤怒地指
出，佩林的做法對她們是一種侮辱。克林頓夫婦隻有一個女兒，他們對她的關心照
顧是有目共睹的。佩林的價值觀與判斷能力和希拉裏有天壤之別。這些希拉裏的支
持者們現在反倒下定決心要投奧巴馬的票，和保守派劃清界限。
共和黨人自己也承認，對佩林的人選最滿意的，是黨內那些保守的右翼分子以及反
對婦女有選擇流產權力的宗教團體。但具有極大諷刺意義的是，這些組織與個人所
宣傳的價值觀，不但包括反對流產的合法性，也堅決反對在學校進行針對青少年的
性教育中包括避孕措施，安全性生活的知識，他們認為加入這些知識會摧毀美國社
會的道德觀。網上有相當多的評論指出，現在對佩林的讚揚(支持女兒未婚而孕的行
為)是一種極大的虛偽。類似的情況如果發生在民主黨候選人中，這些團體與個人必
定會以“道德”為題大做文章，其真正的是非觀是有“黨性”的。沒有見到多少所
謂獨立的無黨派選民基於佩林的選擇就表示支持共和黨。
看來時代真是不同了，當年希拉裏欲尋求在克林頓政府中扮演重要角色時說的一句
話，她不願待在家裏隻做賢妻良母，得罪了不少“普通婦女”，這些婦女不認為自
己在家相夫教子的職責要比職業婦女輕鬆。當時把持國會的共和黨人也極力反對她
參與醫療製度的改革，認為她“違反”了第一夫人一貫扮演的“無所事事”的傳統
角色。如果希拉裏真的作為民主黨的總統候選人話，恐怕也完全不會得到這些團體
及個人的同情與支持。
現在，唯一清楚的是已經暴露出來的佩林的個人及家庭情況，不清楚的是還有多少
可能成為問題的情況有待揭露。雖然大多數人同情候選人的家屬不應遭到如此的曝
光，但也有人指出，這是使美國人民做出正確選擇，避免讓更多的孩子麵臨潛在的
風險的唯一方式。另有女性耽心，如果佩林一旦有所“閃失”的話，將會使美國女
性尋求總統職位的努力倒退多少年。
絕大多數的網民同意，一個要成為總統/副總統的母親(這裏不能說是女性，因為不
能將沒有孩子的女性除外)，必須先是個好的母親，雖然對什麽是“好母親”的定義
仍有待確定。同時，大部分的人也都“認可”，女性是“當家的”，雖說不一定是
一家之長，但是家庭的核心人物，是成功家庭所不可缺少的。
話又說回來，這位佩林州長要說勇敢，恐怕可以說是夠勇敢的，敢“不顧一切”地
做美國副總統的候選人，甚至將來的美國總統。但美國人民是否也勇敢到敢於接受
這樣一位勇敢的候選人看來還是個問題，尤其是在布什總統的八年執政，包括五年
“抗戰”之後。
Some example:
September 3, 2008
Letters
McCain and Palin, in a New Light
To the Editor:
Re：Palin Disclosures Spotlight McCainós Screening Processō (front page,
Sept. 2):
Ever since Gov. Sarah Palin was unveiled as John McCainós running mate,
the press has had a field day in uncovering her foibles, personal and political.
The real story, however, is Mr. McCainós lack of judgment.
Mr. McCain has already caused concern by his appalling ignorance of world
geography and his tendency to oversimplify complex foreign policy issues.
His choice of Ms. Palin makes it plain that he is not in the least concerned
with Americaós stature in the world or the ability of the next vice president
to step into the role of commander of chief.
The American people deserve better from the Republican Party.
John Jeffries Martin
Durham, N.C., Sept. 2, 2008
To the Editor:
Although discussion about families of candidates may be off limits, as both
Barack Obama and John McCain have argued, the news that Bristol Palin, 17
and unmarried, is pregnant does raise two questions that should legitimately
be part of the conversation about the candidates.
First, what does it say about the judgment of a parent ù father or mother
ù who takes on tasks that will necessarily keep that parent away from family
and preoccupied (at least I would hope preoccupied) with the state of our
country, at a time when two of the five children in that family are in particular
and poignant need of special attention? What does this say about Sarah Palinós
raw ambition?
And second, what does it say about John McCainós judgment that he knowingly
asked a parent in this situation to be his running mate, without apparent
consideration for the effect that this would necessarily have on her family,
and particularly on those members of her family most in need? What does
this say about John McCainós cynicism?
What does all this say about the commitment to family values so loudly endorsed
by so many McCain supporters?
Ginny Blanford
Hartsdale, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2008
To the Editor:
It was good that Gov. Sarah Palin of Alaska and her husband, Todd, issued
a statement that brought their daughterós pregnancy out in the open.
I am rather perturbed with those on the left who would try to use this information
to attack Governor Palin.
I believe that families ought to be off limits in political campaigns. The
reality is that all families face problems, including problems like teenage
pregnancy.
I praise Ms. Palin and her husband for their love and support of their daughter
in this difficult matter.
Frederick R. Bedell Jr.
Glen Oaks Village, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2008
To the Editor:
I love how the pregnancy of Sarah Palinós daughter is, according to John
McCainós campaign, ǒa private family matter.ō This, after the Republican
Party has spent 30 years making policy on womenós bodies. Why canót Republicans
recognize that reproductive decisions are private for all American women?
Claire Bushey
Chicago, Sept. 2, 2008
To the Editor:
In John McCainós first major decision as a presidential candidate, instead
of appointing the running mate he wants, he caves in to the religious right
and appoints someone he doesnót know and barely vetted.
This is not the action of a ǒmaverick,ō this is toadyism plain and simple.
If this decision represents how he will run the country, it tells me all
I need to know about Mr. McCain. Pam Arnold
New York, Sept. 2, 2008
To the Editor:
Re ǒIn Political Realm, ūFamily Problemó Emerges as Test and Distractionō
(news analysis, Sept. 2):
I agree with Barack Obama and John McCain that the news that the daughter
of Gov. Sarah Palin is pregnant is not per se relevant to Governor Palinós
credentials to be vice president.
But her lack of significant qualifications and experience with respect to
national public policy, her relatively limited education, her lack of international
engagement and her rejection of science in various arenas are.
Given that Governor Palin is willing to impose her views on private family
matters on others, in terms of her opposition to abortion and her commitment
to abstinence-only sex education, it is legitimate to question such a parentós
responsibilities to her children.
In pursuing the vice-presidential nomination, was Ms. Palin willing to put
her ambitions ahead of the interests of her daughter? Surely she knew that
her nomination would bring worldwide attention to her daughterós pregnancy.
Is this a positive example of commitment to family values? Gayle Binion
Santa Barbara, Calif., Sept. 2, 2008
The writer is a professor of political science at the University of California,
Santa Barbara.
To the Editor:
Re：A New Twist in the Debate Over Mothersō (front page, Sept. 2):
As a 74-year-old mother of five children, including a special-needs child,
I am uniquely qualified to evaluate Gov. Sarah Palinós ability to ǒdo it
all.ō
Ms. Palinós primary responsibility and moral obligation is to give all of
her children the attention they deserve and only a mother can provide.
It is my belief that running for vice president of the United States does
not serve this obligation well. I have read and listened to various political
pundits marvel at her ability to ǒdo it all.ō The honest truth is she canót.
Trust me, I know. Myrna Olsen
Garland, Tex., Sept. 2, 2008
To the Editor:
Mommy wars may seem like a hot story, but the media would serve us better
by focusing on the debate over what parents need to manage work and family.
How Gov. Sarah Palin and her family handle these matters is their business.
But itós the business of voters to know why Ms. Palin and Senator John McCain
oppose every measure that would help working families: guaranteeing paid
sick days, making family leave more accessible and affordable, ensuring
equal pay, financing health insurance for needy kids.
Yes, many families have to deal with teenage pregnancy. Fewer would if schools
provided comprehensive sex education.
Yet the McCain-Palin ticket supports abstinence-only education, despite
Congressional reports documenting its ineffectiveness. Nearly $180 million
in taxpayer dollars was wasted on such programs last year.
Our families and our country canót afford such extreme positions.
Ellen Bravo
Milwaukee, Sept. 2, 2008
The writer is an author and activist for working women.
To the Editor:
ǒA New Twist in the Debate Over Mothersō includes comments by women who
question Sarah Palinós ability to be an adequate mother of five children
while serving as vice president of the United States. Havenót we had presidents
and vice presidents before who raised children at the same time?
Bill Clinton was president while a parent of Chelsea, who was still young.
Richard Nixonós girls were still young in the White House. This is not a
rare event.
If Governor Palin is elected, her husband (a commercial fisherman) is unlikely
to hold a job and thus it seems that Vice President Palin would not need
to be an equal contributor to child care. Her husband could certainly be
the primary parent.
Kathleen A. Carlsson
Sayville, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2008
The writer is the author of ǒThe Case Against Women Raising Children: Why
the Mother Should Never Be the Primary Care-Giver.ō
To the Editor:
Re ǒPalin Daughterós Pregnancy Interrupts G.O.P. Convention Scriptō (news
article, Sept. 2):
Gov. Sarah Palin has said she decided to carry to term her child who has
Down syndrome. Of her daughterós premarital pregnancy, she also says, ǒWeóre
proud of Bristolós decision to have her baby.ō
But how can one claim to be anti-choice and twice speak about ǒdecisionsō?
A true pro-life candidate must believe that there is no choice but to bear
the child, and that the law should bar any such decisions to the contrary.
Indeed, if the governor learned of her own childós Down syndrome from prenatal
testing, is it not hypocrisy to ever have such a test since the fetus has
a right to life regardless?
Perhaps Governor Palin is, in fact, a proponent of choice after all.
Lawrence Rosen
Princeton, N.J., Sept. 2, 2008
http://www.nytimes.com/2008/09/03/opinion/l03gop.html?pagewanted=print
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